ePortfolios for Reflective Learning: Documenting the Evolution of Intellectual Pathways at NYU Gallatin

Streaming Media

Submission Type

20-minute Presentation

Abstract

Individualized, interdisciplinary degree programs carry a unique set of challenges and opportunities that can be addressed by ePortfolios. This is especially true for New York University's (NYU) Gallatin School of Individualized Study, where students must construct their own academic concentrations while taking courses in most of the seventeen schools that comprise the University. This self­-directed learning model empowers students to actively engage in the development of their own education. But this approach also comes with unique challenges. Because students are exploring many different subject areas, it is often difficult for them to articulate the connections between these disciplines.

In this presentation, we will describe an ongoing project to explore the use of ePortfolios as a means to create coherence for students across courses and semesters, and to help them articulate an intellectual and professional agenda through synthesis and reflection. We will address both the pedagogical and operational aspects.

In the Fall of 2016, NYU Gallatin launched a new ePortfolio pilot. Moving away from assessment-based ePortfolios, Gallatin’s new initiative is focused on pedagogy, and is designed to engage students in an ongoing reflective process that can best be described as active, inquiry-­based learning. By incrementally archiving, curating, and reflecting upon their coursework, students will self-­scaffold their learning, progressively building toward a stronger understanding of their own concentration.

With our focus on reflective blog posts that encourage students to make connections between their archived materials, our WordPress-powered ePortfolio program extends blended learning beyond any individual classroom. Now, students have the opportunity to use technology to connect the dots between their academic, experiential, and performative learning—much of which happens in person—thereby taking a holistic, long view of their intellectual development.

Session

Presentation

Location

Thomas 224

Start Date

5-17-2017 2:40 PM

End Date

5-17-2017 4:00 PM

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May 17th, 2:40 PM May 17th, 4:00 PM

ePortfolios for Reflective Learning: Documenting the Evolution of Intellectual Pathways at NYU Gallatin

Thomas 224

Individualized, interdisciplinary degree programs carry a unique set of challenges and opportunities that can be addressed by ePortfolios. This is especially true for New York University's (NYU) Gallatin School of Individualized Study, where students must construct their own academic concentrations while taking courses in most of the seventeen schools that comprise the University. This self­-directed learning model empowers students to actively engage in the development of their own education. But this approach also comes with unique challenges. Because students are exploring many different subject areas, it is often difficult for them to articulate the connections between these disciplines.

In this presentation, we will describe an ongoing project to explore the use of ePortfolios as a means to create coherence for students across courses and semesters, and to help them articulate an intellectual and professional agenda through synthesis and reflection. We will address both the pedagogical and operational aspects.

In the Fall of 2016, NYU Gallatin launched a new ePortfolio pilot. Moving away from assessment-based ePortfolios, Gallatin’s new initiative is focused on pedagogy, and is designed to engage students in an ongoing reflective process that can best be described as active, inquiry-­based learning. By incrementally archiving, curating, and reflecting upon their coursework, students will self-­scaffold their learning, progressively building toward a stronger understanding of their own concentration.

With our focus on reflective blog posts that encourage students to make connections between their archived materials, our WordPress-powered ePortfolio program extends blended learning beyond any individual classroom. Now, students have the opportunity to use technology to connect the dots between their academic, experiential, and performative learning—much of which happens in person—thereby taking a holistic, long view of their intellectual development.